U.S. patent application number 10/272669 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-05 for optical fiber harness.
Invention is credited to Meyer, Daniel B..
Application Number | 20030103755 10/272669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58639082 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030103755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyer, Daniel B. |
June 5, 2003 |
Optical fiber harness
Abstract
An optical fiber harness has a unitary plastic body that is
formed into a substantially circular member and a straight member.
The straight member intersects the circular member forming a chord
through the circular member. At least a first attachment member
extends from the straight member for securing the optical fiber
harness onto a circuit board. Tabs extend outward from the circular
member for receiving an optical fiber.
Inventors: |
Meyer, Daniel B.; (Lake
Oswego, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William K. Bucher
TEKTRONIX, INC.
M/S 50-LAW
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton
OR
97077
US
|
Family ID: |
58639082 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272669 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60334550 |
Dec 3, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/137 ;
385/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3897 20130101;
G02B 6/4453 20130101; D21C 9/144 20130101; D21C 9/1057 20130101;
D21C 9/153 20130101; D21C 5/005 20130101; G02B 6/4471 20130101;
D21C 9/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/137 ;
385/136 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An optical fiber harness comprising: a flat, flexible unitary
plastic body folded to form first and second segments with each
segment having a free end and a common fold junction; the first
segment formed into a substantially circular member having
outwardly extending tabs with apertures formed in the tabs for
receiving an optical fiber and a locking member formed at the free
end of the first segment for securing the free end of the circular
member to the other end of the circular member at the common fold
junction; and the second segment formed into a straight member
extending from the common fold junction and intersecting the
circular member forming a chord through the circular member with
the straight portion having at least a first attachment member
extending past the circular member for securing the optical fiber
harness onto a circuit board and a locking member for securing the
free end of the straight member to the circular member.
2. The optical fiber harness as recited in claim 1 wherein the
attachment member extends past the circular member at the common
fold junction and comprises a notch formed in the attachment member
adapted for receiving circuit board component.
3. The optical fiber harness as recited in claim 1 wherein the free
end of the second segment extends past the circular member and the
attachment member comprises an aperture formed in the straight
member at the free end of the second segment adapted for receiving
a circuit board component.
4. The optical fiber harness as recited in claim 1 wherein the
first segment locking member comprises a hook-shaped projection
formed in the free end of the first segment engaging a notched
portion of the first segment adjacent to the common fold
junction.
5. The optical fiber harness as recited in claim 1 wherein the
second segment locking member comprises first and second notches
with one notch formed in the straight member for receiving the
intersecting portion of the circular member and the second notch
formed in the intersecting circular member for receiving the
straight member.
6. The optical fiber harness as recited in claim 1 wherein the
outwardly extending tabs further comprise a notch formed in each of
the tabs that intersects the apertures.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/334,550, filed Oct. 18, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention related generally to routing optical
fiber in electronic equipment and more particularly to an optical
fiber harness for measurement test equipment.
[0003] Optical components are used in measurement test equipment,
such as optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR), optical spectrum
analyzers, oscilloscopes and the like, for generating and receiving
optical signals to and from a device under test. Generally, the
optical components are manufactured with a length of optical fiber
extending from the component that allow coupling to another
component. The layout of optical and electrical components on a
circuit board of the measurement instrument may result in an excess
length of optical fiber between optical components. This requires
the optical fiber to be affixed to the circuit board in a manner
that does not produce tight bends or kinks in the fiber. A common
solution is to place routing clips on the circuit board that accept
the optical fiber. One type of routing clip is the Micro Wire
Saddle, manufactured and sold by Richco, Inc., Chicago, Ill. under
part number MWS-1-01. The micro wire saddle has a narrow
rectangular base with sidewalls extending upward from the ends of
the base. Extending inward from the top of the sidewalls are
downward angled overlapping fingers having a small gap at the ends
of the fingers. Extending downward from the bottom of the base is a
snap-lock retention member that engage holes formed in the circuit
board. Another type of routing clip manufactured by the same
company is the Micro Wire Saddle on Base, sold under part numbers
MWSB-1-01A-RT and MWSEB. Each micro saddle on base are of similar
construction with a square base and opposing narrow sidewalls
extending upward from two sides of the base. Extending inward from
the top of the sidewalls are downward angled overlapping fingers
having a small gap at the ends of the fingers. The underside of the
base has double sided adhesive tape. The adhesive side micro wire
saddle on base is secured to open spaced laid out on the circuit
board. Excess optical fiber is routed through the routing
clips.
[0004] A drawback to using these types of routing clips is that
they take-up valuable real estate on the circuit board that could
be used for instrument components. Additionally, board layout
complicated in the fact that routing clip locations have to be
provided on the board that correspond to the excess amount of fiber
on the optical component. Further, care must be used in routing the
fiber through the routing clips to make sure that no kinks or type
bends are formed in the optical fiber.
[0005] What is needed is a an optical fiber harness that does not
take-up real estate on the circuit board. The optical fiber harness
should be easily placable on the circuit board and easily receive
an optical fiber. The optical fiber harness should also provide a
constant bend radius for the optical fiber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is an optical fiber
harness having a flat, flexible unitary plastic body folded to form
first and second segments. Each segment has a free end and a common
fold junction. The first segment is formed into a substantially
circular member having outwardly extending tabs. Each tab has an
aperture formed therein for receiving an optical fiber. Each tab
may be formed with a notch that intersects the apertures for
placement of an optical fiber in the notch. A locking member is
formed at the free end of the first segment for securing the free
end of the circular member to the other end of the circular member
at the common fold junction. The second segment is formed into a
straight member extending from the common fold junction and
intersecting the circular member forming a chord through the
circular member. The straight portion has at least a first
attachment member extending past the circular member for securing
the optical fiber harness onto a circuit board and a locking member
for securing the free end of the straight member to the circular
member.
[0007] In one embodiment, the free end of the second segment
extends past the circular member and the attachment member
comprises an aperture formed in the straight member at the free end
of the second segment. In a further embodiment, the attachment
member extends past the circular member at the common folded
junction and comprise a notch formed in the attachment member
adapted for receiving a coaxial cable. Both attachment member
embodiments may be incorporated into the optical fiber harness. The
first segment locking member has a hook-like projection formed in
the free end of the first segment that engages a notched portion of
the first segment adjacent to the common fold junction. The second
segment locking member has a first notch formed in the straight
member for receiving the intersecting portion of the circular
member and a second notch formed in the intersecting circular
member for receiving the straight member.
[0008] The objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention are apparent from the following detailed description when
read in conjunction with the appended claims and attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the flat, flexible unitary plastic
body of the optical fiber harness according to the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of common folded junction
defining first and second segments in the unitary plastic body of
the optical fiber harness according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intersection of the
first and second segments of the unitary plastic body of the
optical fiber harness according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first segment formed
into a circular member and the second segment formed into a
straight member in the optical fiber harness according to the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first segment hooked
locking member in the optical fiber harness according to the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the optical fiber harness
positioned on a circuit board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The optical fiber harness of the present invention is formed
of a flat, flexible unitary plastic body 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The
unitary plastic body 10 is preferably made of a polypropylene film
having a thickness of approximately 0.031 inches that allows the
unitary plastic body to be folded and formed into the optical fiber
harness. The overall length of the plastic body is approximately 12
inches and the height is approximately 0.626 inches The unitary
plastic body 10 is divided into first and second segments 12 and 14
that are defined by a common fold junction 16 as shown in FIG. 2.
The first segment 12 has a length of approximately 8.3 inches and
the second segment having a length of 3.7 inches. Each segment has
a free end 18 and 20. The free end 18 of the first segments 12 is
tapered to form a hook-shaped locking member 22. The hook-shaped
locking member 22 has an upward opening slot 24 defining the hook
portion 26 and a downward opening slot 28 that engages the second
segment 14. The first segments 12 has approximately equally spaced
tabs 30 formed adjacent to the top edge 32 of the unitary plastic
body 10. Each tab 30 is preferably formed by making a vertical cut
34 in the unitary plastic body from the top edge 32 and a
horizontal cut 36 extending from the vertical cut 34 with the
intersection of the two cuts having a radius cut. Each tab 30 has
an aperture 38 formed therein for receiving an optic fiber. In the
preferred embodiment, a notch 40 is formed in each of the tabs 30
that intersects the aperture 30. A downward opening slot 42 is
formed adjacent to the bottom edge 44 of the unitary plastic body
10 approximately at the middle of the first segment for engaging
the second segment 12. A series of notches 46 are formed at the
bottom edge 44 in the unitary plastic body 10 to produce
trapezoidal shaped feet 48 under the tabs.
[0016] The second segment 14 is preferably formed with at least a
first attachment member 50 for securing the optical fiber harness
onto a circuit board. One configuration of the attachment member 50
is an aperture 52 formed in the free end 20 of the second segment
14. Another configuration of the attachment member 50 is a slot 54
formed in an extension member 56 of the second segment 14 at the
common fold junction 16. The extension member 56 is formed adjacent
to the notch 46 at the common fold junction 16 and extends past the
common fold junction 16. A horizontal cut 58 is made in the unitary
plastic body 10 from the notch 46 to the common fold junction 16.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention both attachment member
configurations are provided as part of the optical fiber harness.
Alternately, a single attachment member 50 may be used. Further,
multiple attachment members 50 of a single configuration may be
formed on the unitary plastic body 10 of the optical fiber harness.
An upward opening slot 60 is formed from the top edge 32 of the
unitary plastic body 10 in the second segment 14 for receiving the
downward opening slot 42 of the first segment 12. A notch 62 is
formed in the bottom edge 44 in the unitary plastic body 10 to
produce a foot 64 adjacent to the common fold junction 16 and a
foot 66 adjacent to the free end 20 of the second segment 14.
[0017] FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate the construction of the optical
fiber harness 70 from the unitary plastic body 10. FIG. 2 shows the
first and second segments 12 and 14 folded at a right angle to each
other at the common fold junction 16. The extension member 56
extends past the common fold junction 16. FIG. 3 shows the first
segment 12 being bent in a semicircle so that the first segment 12
intersects the second segment 14. The first and second segments 12
and 14 are interlocked by the engagement of the slot 42 with the
second segment 14 at the slot 60 in the second segment 14. The free
end 20 of the second segment 14 containing the aperture 52 extends
past the intersection of the first and second segments 14. FIG. 4
shows the first segment 12 formed into a substantially circular
member 72 with the free end 18 of the first segment 12 overlapping
the other end of the first segment 12 at the common fold junction
16. The downward opening slot 28 of the first segment 12 engages
the extension member 56 of the second segment 14. The tabs 30 of
the circular formed first segment 12 extend outward from the
unitary plastic body 10. FIG. 5 shows the hook portion 26 of the
hook-shaped locking member 22 engaging the interior surface of the
circular formed first segment 12 adjacent to the common fold
junction 16. The resulting optical fiber harness 70 has the second
segment 14 formed into a straight member 74 extending from the
common fold junction 16 and intersecting the circular formed first
member 12 forming a chord through the circular member 72. The free
end 20 of the second segment 14 has one configuration of the
attachment member 50 extending past the circular member 72 in the
form of the aperture 52 and the other end of the second segment 14
has the extension member 56 with the other described attachment
member 50 in the form of the slot 54.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a simplified
illustration of a circuit board 80 usable with the optical fiber
harness 70. An optical connector receptacle 82 is fixedly mounted
to the circuit board 80 by a bracket (not shown) hidden by the
attachment member 50. A mating optical connector plug 84 mating
connects to the receptacle 82. A length optical fiber 86 extends
from the connector plug 84. The optical fiber harness 70 is secured
to the circuit board 80 using the attachment members 50 extending
from the first segment circular member 72. The optical connector
receptacle 82 and plug 84 capture the attachment member 50 at the
free end 20 of the second segment 14 by the optical connector plug
84 passing through the aperture 52 of the attachment member 50 and
plugging into the optical connector receptacle 82. The slot 54
formed in the extension member 56 of the extension member 50 is
positioned on a semi-rigid coaxial cable 88 running over the
circuit board 80. The excess length of the optical fiber 86 is
wound around the circular member 72 of the optical fiber harness
and inserted into the apertures 38 of the tabs 30. The optical
fiber 86 may be wound around and secured in the optical fiber
harness 70 multiple times depending on the excess length of the
optical fiber 86.
[0019] An optical fiber harness has been described having a flat,
flexible, unitary plastic body that is formed into a circular
member and a straight member. The circular member is a first
segment of the unitary plastic body and the straight member is a
second segment of the unitary plastic body. The unitary plastic
body is folded to form a right angle common fold junction between
the first and second segments. The first segment is approximately
equally spaces tabs that extend outward when the first segment is
formed into the circular member. The first segment has a hook-like
projection extending from the free end of the first segment that
locks into the other end of the first segment at the common fold
junction. The straight member of the second segment intersects the
circular member forming a chord through the circular member. The
second segment has at least a first attachment member for securing
the optical fiber harness onto a circuit board or the like. The
second segment has an upward opening slot that engages a downward
opening slot on the first segment to lock the second segment to the
first segment.
[0020] It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that
many changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiments of this invention without departing from the underlying
principles thereof. The scope of the present invention should,
therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
* * * * *